Automatic dispensing apparatus



March 17, 3936. w. D. KEITH TIC DISPENSING APPARATUS AUTOMA Fil'ed March 15, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTO RN EY M ami? 17, 1%. w. D. KEITH AUTOMATIC DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed March 15, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS.

W. D. KEITH AUTOMATIC DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed March 15, 1952 5' Sheet et 3 v i I;

Patented Mar. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Wayland D. Keith, Wichita, Falls, Tex., assignor, by mesne assignments, to John H. Schreiber, St.

Louis, Mo.

Application March 15, 1932, Serial No. 598,901

4 Claims.

This invention relates to merchandising machines and automatic dispensing apparatus and it has particular reference to coin and token operated machines of the character specified.

The invention has for its principal object to provide an apparatus for the storage and delivery of ice in blocks of uniform size, singly and without the necessity of complicated mechanism.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a coin operated, merchandise vending machine or apparatus which is so constructed that it will accommodate a multiplicity of ice blocks and for economical reasons, the merchandise occupies but a minimum of space in that it is arranged in superimposed and aligned relationship in the machine and through the simple expedient of an elevator and associated parts, the ice or other merchandise is dispensed singly from the machine by reason of certain coin or token operated mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and novel mechanism for moving ice blocks or other merchandise along a shelf or a series of shelves simultaneously in the absence of manual manipulation to fill a dispensing chamber and which mechanism is timed to operate to fill the chamber after its contents have been depleted and to simultaneously advance the remaining merchandise on the shelf or shelves preparatory to another operation of filling the dispensing chamber.

Still another object of the invention is to provide automatic means for singly discharging merchandise from the dispensing chamber or compertinent, combined with means operative to open and close a door or gate through which the merchandise is moved to a point accessible to the operator.

Broadly, the invention comprehends the provision of a machine or apparatus of a simple and durable construction in which the parts are so constructed and arranged as to make for the greatest of simplicity of both design and operation, which is a prerequisite in any type of machine designed for public convenience and operation. The invention is intended to fill a long felt need for a vending machine for ice and merchandise of like bulk in order that those in need of such merchandise may obtain the same at any and all hours of the day or night.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, the invention has particular reference to its salient features of construction and arrangement of parts which will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a vertical section on lines ll on Figure 3.

Figure 2 is a front view of the invention in elevation.

Figure 3 is a plan view.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on lines 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a front view in perspective, showing the cabinet or housing for the structure shown in the preceding figures, generally illustrating the appearance of the machine assembled for operation.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of the machine showing the dispensing chamber in part, the merchandise ejecting mechanism and discharge chute, and

Figure 7 is a detail View in section, showing the control mechanism for the advancing and elevating mechanism.

Continuing with a more detailed description of the drawings, reference is primarily made to' Figures 1 and 2 showing the vertical frame. members l which are composed preferably of channel iron and suitably joined rigidly together by means of angle iron braces 2 extending longitudinally from the front to the rear of the machine and are bent to define a circle as shown in Figure 4 and thence again to the front. In being so disposed, the. rear of the machine is made circular in form, which is a desideratum for the proper operation of the machine. As the description proceeds, the importance of this particular feature of the machine will become clearly apparent.

The machine is constructed so as to provide. a multiplicity of superimposed shelves or tiers and these tiers are divided into separate compartments by means of moving partitions comprised of plates 3, shown in Figures 1, 4 and 6 and a block of ice or other merchandise is placed in the space between these plates so that upon movement of the plates, the merchandise will be likewise moved along the shelves. A strip 4 is disposed intermediate the sides of the shelves so as to prevent any merchandise from falling between the inner and outer angles 2 constituting the side rails or tracks of each shelf and along which the merchandise is moved.

Reference to Figure 4 will disclose the relationship between the moving partitions 3 and the shelves. The figure also shows how the partitions 3 are moved. It will be understood that Figure 4, being a plan view, shows only the arrangement of a single shelf but is representative of all of the superimposed shelves, of which there may be any number desired. A pair of vertically disposed shafts 5 are provided between the inner rails 2 of the. shelves and whose ends are journaled in bosses 6 at the top and bottom of the machine, as shown in Figure l. A pair of sprockets l are carried by each of the shafts 5 and are spaced from either end of each of the shafts as may be clearly seen in Figure 1. Endless chains 8 surround each of the sprockets 'l, as shown in Figure 4-. and to these chains at spaced intervals are secured vertically disposed angle members 3. The partition plates 3 are secured to the members 9 in such manner that they will remain in a fixed vertical plane and will travel longitudinally of the shelves and since a block of ice or other merchandise is disposed between each of the plates 3 and since the plates 3 move simultaneously along each of the superimposed shelves, it is clear that the merchandise will be collectively moved or advanced throughout the entire machine at timed intervals and in accordance with the explanation to be hereinafter given.

Before entering into a detailed explanation of the driving mechanism, timing and ejecting mechanism, it will be first explained that the dispensing chamber is designated in Figure 6 at A or within the bottom compartment of the elevator shown in Figures 2 and 6. The mechanism of the machine is so timed that all of the merchandise is dispensed from the elevator, which will be described presently, before the vertical shafts 5 are set into operation to collectively advance the merchandise in the machine. In other words, assuming that the elevator carries nine blocks of ice or other merchandise, each compartment of the elevator is moved into register with the ejecting mechanism successively until all of the ice blocks are removed therefrom, after which the merchandise advancing mechanism is automatically set into operation to refill each compartment of the elevator preparatory to the next succeeding operation of the elevator and the dispensing mechanism.

Referring to the elevator, reference is made to Figure 2 primarily, in which is shown parallel shafts l0, spaced apart near the top and at the bottom of the machine frame. Reference to Figure 4 will disclose the relationship of these shafts and it will also be noted in this figure that the outer ends of the upper shafts if! carry sprockets ll while sprockets l2 are carried thereon inside of the elevator frame structure. Endless chains l3 surround the upper sprockets l2 and lower idling sprockets I l carried on lower shaft ID, as apparent in Figure 2. These latter chains are the driving chains and the following description will include the means by which power is transmitted to drive the chains l3.

Secured at spaced intervals to the chains I 3 are supports l5 and in accordance with the showing in Figure 2, the supports l5, as they move with the inside leads of the chains I3, are directly opposite and jointly support a cake of ice or other merchandise and define compartments in superimposed relationship and at all times in register with the shelves or tiers of the machine and in which the merchandise is advanced longitudinally.

In Figure 4 it can be clearly seen that as the merchandise is advanced along the shelf and since it is understood that the number of shelves equal the number of compartments of the elevator and further, as the merchandise is collectively moved along the shelves or tiers, the elevator will be filled to capacity with but one operation of the advancing means, namely, the power imparted to rotate the vertical shafts 5. When the elevator is filled to capacity, it is necessary that the same be moved successively in one direction until all of the compartments come into register with the opening I6, covered by the door l1, shown in Figures 2 and 6, as explained in the foregoing.

Referring now to the driving mechanism for the various moving elements of the machine, it will be first mentioned that since the machine is intended to be coin or token operated, the box containing the operating mechanism is shown at l8 in Figure 3. The present invention does not include the specific controlled mechanism and accordingly this mechanism is not shown in detail, in view of the fact that any proven and commercially successful coin controlled mechanism may be adopted and applied in the present case.

Upon the insertion of a coin into the slot 20, the circuit is closed through wires 2| to the motor 22, it being understood that this motor is of the reversible type. The circuit is closed through the power lines 23 to the motor to set the same in operation and simultaneously a conventional momentary switch (not shown) is actuated to cause the current to flow through wires 24 to the magnet 25. The shaft 26 is rotated by the belt 21, which is preferably of the V-type and which surrounds a pulley 28 mounted upon the shaft 26 and a pulley 29, mounted upon the armature shaft of the motor 22.

It has been stated that energization of the magnet takes place simultaneously with the starting of the motor 22 and upon becoming energized, it attracts the lever 30 which carries a projection 3| and which projection normally engages the end of an arm 32. The arm 32 is pivoted at 33, as shown in Figure 3 and opposite this pivotal point, a spring 34 is connected to the arm 32 to normally urge the clutch 35 to engaged position when the arm 33 releases the arm 32 upon energization of the magnet 25.

A rod 35 is connected to the opposite end of the arm 32 and this rod extends to and is slidable freely through one of the arms of a bell crank 31, in order that the bell crank will not be actuated by reason of engagement of the clutch 35 in the manner explained. It is obvious therefore that movement of the rod 35 in one direction will have no effect upon the bell crank 31 but movement in the opposite direction will rock the bell crank on its pivot on, since the nuts 38 carried upon the end of the rod 33 will engage and move the bell crank when a pull is exerted on the rod 36 in an opposite direction and therefore actuate the arm 3311, which has a hook a on one end engaging a similar hook b on a companion member, to be later described. The purpose of this particular arrangement will be set forth presently.

When the clutch 35 is engaged in the manner explained in the foregoing, sprocket 39 is rotated by power transmitted from the rotating shaft 26 and rotation is thus imparted to the large sprocket 40 mounted upon shaft 4! and which shaft also carries a small sprocket 42. The purpose of the large sprocket 40 is to reduce the speed of rotation of the shaft 4| and in fact, to time the operation of the door I! covering the merchandise discharge opening and the merchandise dispensing mechanism shown only in Figure 6. In this connection, it is pointed out that a chain 43 surrounds the sprocket 42, carried upon the shaft 4| and a sprocket 44, whose shaft 45 is parallel with the shaft 4|. The door I! is suspended by means of a cable 46 from one end of the chain 43 while a similar cable 41 is joined to the opposite end of the chain 43, as shown in Figure 2 and extends under a pulley 48 near the bottom of the machine and passes over pulleys 49 and 50 and returns in a double lead and passes under pulleys 5| on either side of the door H, as shown in Figures 2 and 6. The ends of the upper leads of the cable 41 are secured at 5 near the top of the door H. Reference to Figures 4 and 6 will disclose that the door I! travels in opposed channels 52 and a chute 53 is provided to receive merchandise from the dispensing compartment A. This chute 53 has side members 54 and a stop 55 to prevent the ice or other merchandise from sliding oif the end thereof.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that when the motor 22 is operated, clutch 35 is engaged upon energization of the magnet 25 as explained to release the clutch holding mechanism and since the shaft 26 is rotated through the medium of the belt 21, sprockets 39, 49, 42 and 44 are accordingly rotated, the latter two sprockets being rotated in a counterclockwise direction to thereby exert an upward pull upon the cable 46 to elevate the door closure ll. Of course, a downward pull is exerted upon the cable 41 and reference to Figure 6 will disclose stops 56 and 51, carried by the cable 41. The forward stop 5'! advances to the dotted position shown at c and the rearward stop 55 engages the depending arm 58 of a substantially Z-shaped member 59. The member is slidingly pivoted at d in the slot 6 and as the cable 4'! is moved, the stop 56 eventually engages the arm 58 and causes the upwardly extending arm 60 of the Z-shaped member 59 to rise to a perpendicular plane and upon further movement of the cable 41, the member 59 is advanced to the dotted line position shown in Figure 6. Obviously, a block of ice or other merchandise contained in the compartment A will be urged forwardly and discharged onto the chute 53 to be accessible to the purchaser or operator of the machine.

Referring again to Figure 2, it will be noted that a stop 6| is secured to the left hand lead of the chain 43 and as the mechanism operates to elevate the door closure IT as explained, the stop 6] moves downwardly and engages a fork 62 extending from a box 63 and upon actuating the fork E2 downwardly, a switch, not shown but contained within the box 63 is operated to reverse the motor 22. When this is accomplished, the sprockets 44 and 42 begin to turn in a clockwise direction to lower the door closure l1 and a reverse movement of the cables 46 and 41 is obtained and at the same time the door closure H is lowered, stop 5? carried by the cable 41 moves from its dotted position at c in Figure 6 to the position shown in solid lines and in so moving, the Z-shaped member 59, heretofore referred to as the dispensing mechanism, is returned to the normal position shown in solid lines in Figure 6.

Thus, the door closure I? is timed to move to open position just prior to the advancing movement of the dispensing mechanism partially comprised of the 2 member 59 and the door closure I1 is moved to closed position just after an article of merchandise is dispensed in the manner explained. Assuming that the elevator is filled to capacity, and that its capacity is nine blocks of ice, the operation just described takes place nine successive times before the re-charging mechanism or merchandise advancing mechanism is set into operation.

Mechanism for accomplishing this will now be described.

Referring now to Figures 3, reference is again made to the shaft 26, which carries a sprocket 64 at a point midway between its ends and over which is passed a chain 65. The chain 65 surrounds a large sprocket 66, as shown also in Fig ure 1. It will be understood that during the dispensing operations referred to in the foregoing, sprocket 66 is idling on the shaft 61, which carries a large clutch 68 and an indexing mechanism 69. The clutch members comprising the clutch 68 are normally in engagement, although they are not shown as being in engagement in Figure 3. However, at each operation of the elevator recharging or merchandise advancing mechanism, the clutch 68 is disengaged in the manner to be hereinafter described.

Situated rearwardly of the sprocket 66 on shaft 6'! is a transmission mechanism comprised of a small gear 10, mounted on shaft 61 and enmeshing a larger gear H on the short shaft 12. Another small gear 13 on shaft 12 enmeshes a larger gear 14, which is loosely mounted on shaft 61. This large gear will be referred to as the cam gear since it carries a cam 15, as shown in Figure 3 whose function is to time the merchandise advancing mechanism in accordance with the operation of the elevator and merchandise dispensing mechanism. Further reference to the cam gear and its associated elements will be included in the course of the description of operation to follow presently.

With specific reference to the operation of the elevator, it has been stated that the clutch 68 is normally in engagement and is timed to operate in accordance with the dispensing mechanism.

As the stop 6!, carried by the chain 43 travels upward during the closing action of the door [1, it comes into contact with the lever 16. shown in Figures 2 and 3. This lever is centrally pivoted and its free end is urged downwardly to exert a pull upon the cable 11 which is passed over a pulley 18 and connected to the end of the rod 36 lying parallel with the rotating shaft 26.

When the cable 11 is pulled. the clutch operating arm 32 is moved against the resistance of spring 34 to disengage the clutch 35 to thereby halt the door and dispensing mechanism, although the shaft 25 continues to rotate, due to the fact that the motor 22 continues to operate. The clutch arm 32 however is lockedin inoperative position by the arm 30, which is held in such position as to lockably receive the clutch arm by the spring subsequent to de-energization of magnet 25 by any conventional type of momentary switch across the lead lines 24 of the magnet and contained in the box I8, previously referred to.

The indexing mechanism shown in Figure 3 and in detail in Figure 7 plays an important part in the operation of the several moving parts of the machine. This mechanism, however, is conventional and no claim as to novelty therein is made except for its cooperativeness in bringing about certain novel results in the invention.

The indexing mechanism is comprised of a grooved collar 80, which is fixed to rotate with shaft 6! by means of the key 81. The companion member 69 carries the sprocket 65 and is freely mounted on the shaft El and is provided with apertures 82 to receive the pin 83. The pin 83 is urged by spring 84, situated in the barrel 85, into the aperture 82 and at any desired time is released therefrom by a beveled pin 35, actuated into operative position by a spring 81a contained in the housing 88.

It will be remembered that the clutch 68 is normally in engagement. Continued operation of the motor therefore will impart rotation to the sprocket 89, as seen in Figures 2 and 3, and over which the chain 90 passes. This chain may be better seen in Figure 2. The chain passes over the idle sprocket 9!, thence over sprocket I at the right of Figure 2 and under the companion sprocket ii to complete the endless drive. Thus the first sprocket H is rotated counter-clockwise and the companion sprocket clockwise in order that the inner leads of the elevator chains 53 will move downwardly at the same rate of speed to lower the superimposed ice blocks or other merchandise to a position for discharge through the door IT.

The indexing mechanism is designed to operate successively without interruption but at predetermined intervals, or each time the elevator is required to be recharged, the refilling or merchandise advancing mechanism, particularly shown in Figure 4 is set into operation. In practice, the elevator is advanced nine times and each time the dispensing mechanism is actuated. However, the tenth operation is the refilling or recharging operation and during which the entire bulk of merchandise in the machine is moved the distance between the partitions 3, shown in Figure 4 in order to bring one column of ice blocks onto the elevator simultaneously.

To accomplish the foregoing, it is pointed out that the speed ratio of the cam gear M is ten to one, that is to say, this gear makes only one revolution during ten revolutions of the shaft 51. This being true, the lug or cam 15 carried by the gear M comes into contact with the arm 92 once during ten operations of the elevator, door l? and the dispensing mechanism.

The arm 92 is pivoted at g and is pivotally connected to a rod 93, as shown in Figure 3. A similar arm 94 is pivoted at h and is connected to the movable member of the clutch 68. Likewise, an arm 35 is pivoted at 7' near the opposite end of the rod 93 and to the movable member of a clutch 96 also mounted on the shaft 51.

Obviously, when the cam 75 actuates the arm 32, the rod 93 is moved longitudinally toward the forward end of the machine to thereby disengage the elements of the clutch (it. At the same time, the elements of the clutch 93 are engaged and by reason of the gears in. the gear box 91, rotation is imparted to the vertical shaft near the rear of the machine and transmitted to the companion shaft 5 due to the endless chains 8, surrounding sprockets 'l on the shafts 5.

The length of the cam E5 determines the extent of movement of the merchandise along the shelves of the machine, which as stated, is the distance between the partitions 3, and sufficient to bring the column of merchandise onto the elevator.

When the cam 15 rides off the end of the arm 92, the spring 98 exerts a pull upon the rod 93, which disengages the clutch 96, and engages the clutch 68 for another operation of the elevator and dispensing mechanism.

It will be understood that the operation of advancing the merchandise, as last explained, takes place before the clutch 35 becomes disengaged or during the movement of the stop 5|, carried by the chain 43 toward the arm 16. At the instant the stop 6! engages the arm 15, the clutch 35 is disengaged as explained in the foregoing and the current to the motor 22 is broken.

In describing the operation of the invention, reference is primarily made to Figure 4. All of the compartments between the partitions 3 on the left of Figiue 4 are fill-ed with merchandise which means that each shelf or tier of the several superimposed tiers are loaded. The advancing mechanism is started to advance the merchandise to the opposite side of the machine, which will require a series of successive movements, since it will be remembered that the limit of each successive movement is the distance between the plates or partitions 3.

The above operations are carried out until the first column of merchandise has been advanced around the entire machine and is now moved onto the elevator at the lower right hand corner of Figure 4. Since all of the tiers, including the elevator are now filled to capacity, the machine is in readiness for operation.

A coin or token is dropped into the coin slot 25 in the box 18 and a circuit is closed through wires 2i to the motor 22. Simultaneously, a circuit is closed to the magnet 25 through wires 24, thereby energizing the same to attract the clutch locking arm 36. This action obviously releases the clutch arm 32 to allow the spring 34 to pivot the arm 32 to engage the clutch 35.

The motor 22 turns shaft 26 through the medium of the belt 21, which imparts rotation to the sprocket 39, as seen in Figure 2, to thereby rotate large sprocket 40 by means of the chain surrounding sprockets 39 and 4B. Sprocket 49 rotates shaft 4! which carries sprocket 42 and movement is imparted to the chain 43 which surrounds sprocket 42 and a similar sprocket 44 mounted on shaft 45, as shown in Figure 2.

Rotation of sprockets 42 and 44 in a counterclockwise direction will of course exert a pull upon the cable 46 connected at one end to the lower end of the right hand lead of the chain 43 and since the opposite end of the cable 46 is connected to the door ill, the latter will be elevated.

Cable 47, being connected at b to the door I! is actuated around pulleys 48, 49, 59 and 5| to move stops 56 and 51 carried thereon, as shown only in Figure 6.

As stop 55 advances against the depending arm 58 of the dispensing member 59, the member is first actuated to a horizontal plane to lift the forward arm 60 to a position behind the ice block situated in the compartment of the elevator designated at A. After the initial lifting movement of the dispensing member, continued pull upon cable ii causes the arm to advance toward the delivery chute 53, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 6, whence the merchandise is dispensed.

At this time, the stop 3| carried by the chain 43 has reached the extended arm 62 of the motor reversing switch 63 and upon depressing this arm, the chain 43 changes its direction of movement to actuate the cable 41, to thereby bring the stop 59 into engagement with the arm 58 of the dispensing member 59. This member is returned thereby to the solid line position shown in Figure 6.

At the same time the dispensing member is returned to normal position, the door IT is lowered to close the discharge opening of the compartment A of the elevator preparatory to another operation.

It now becomes necessary to move the elevator to bring another filled compartment into register with the dispensing member 59. To accomplish this, the stop 6| on the chain 43 has had sufiicient time to reach the extending arm or fork 16 at the top of the machine and upon lifting this arm, a pull is exerted upon the cable H, passing over pulley 16 and connected to the end of the rod 36, to which the clutch operating arm 32 is connected. This arm is thereby actuated to disengage the clutch 35, whereupon the sprockets 39, 46, 42 and 44 cease to operate. This occurs just as the door I! reaches its limit of downward travel and as the dispensing member 59 is returned to normal operative position.

Of course, it is understood that shaft 26 continues to turn by reason of the belt 21 from the armature shaft of the motor but it has no further eiTect for the moment in operating the door and dispensing mechanism. I

The pull exerted on the short cable 11, in addition to operating the clutch 35, also exerts a pull upon the rod 36 which pivots the bell crank 31. This action obviously withdraws the beveled pin 66 of the indexing mechanism shown in Figure '7, from the slot in the locking pin 33 to allow the latter to enter the opening 82 in the member 69. Thus, the members 86 and 69 are locked together and since member 80 is fixed to shaft 61, member 69 carrying the sprocket 66 begins to rotate to impart rotation to the shaft 6 from the shaft 26 through the medium of the sprocket 64, carried by shaft 26 and the chain 65 surrounding this sprocket and the large sprocket 66.

The arm 36a, previously referred to is pivotally connected at one end to the rearwardly extending arm of the bell crank 31 and carries the hook a which engages the hook b carried by the pin 86 and is normally urged to engaged position by the spring c as shown in Figure 3. The arm 36a carries a cam projection d which rides upon a similar, but fixed projection e when the arm 36a. is moved to the left in Figure 3. Thus, the hooks a and b are disengaged, which allows the pin 86 to return to engaged position with the locking pin 83 for another operation. The spring secured to the arm 36a, is the force which returns the arm to operative position to effect reengagement of the hooks a and 22.

Accordingly, the clutch 68 being normally in engagement, the sprocket 89 begins rotating to rotate chain 90, better illustrated in Figure 2. This chain rotates sprocket II at the right of Figure 2 counter-clockwise and the companion sprocket l l clockwise, thereby lowering the opposed supports IS the distance required to bring the next succeeding compartment of the elevator into register with the dispensing mechanism.

Upon completion of the above operation, the shaft 61 has made one complete revolution and the beveled pin 86 again enters the recess in the locking pin 83, which action withdraws the pin 83 to the unlocked position shown in Figure '7. In further regard to the pin 86, it will be noted in Figure '7 that the pin is normally urged into the annular groove in the member 80 by the action of spring 81a. At each revolution of the member 80, the beveled surface is constrained to engage one side of a recess cut in the spring pressed locking pin 83, thus causing momentary withdrawal of the pin 83 from the opening 82 in the member 69, sufficient to release the two mem bers 89 and 69 for independent rotation. Upon operation of the bell crank 31, the beveled pin 86 is withdrawn from operative position with respect to locking pin 83.

The foregoing operation is carried out successively until all of the merchandise has been removed from the elevator after which it becomes necessary to advance the bulk of merchandise throughout the machine the distance between the partitions 3, shown more clearly in Figure 4, or to move a column of ice blocks or other merchandise onto the elevator to fill the same to capacity in one operation.

It has been stated that the differential movement is approximately ten to one. That is to say, the cam gear '33 rotates one time to ten operations of the elevator. Accordingly, when the last block of ice has been removed from the elevator the arm 92 rides upon the high point of the cam 15 and thereby moves rod 93 longitudinally. This action disengages the clutch 68 and simultaneously engages clutch 96 through the medium of pivoted arms 94 and 95 respectively.

The timing is such that when the end of arm 92 reaches the peak of the cam 15 sufiicient rotation has been imparted to the gears in the gear box 91 to advance the merchandise compartments throughout the machine the required distance to fill the elevator, by revolving the vertical shafts 5.

When the operation is completed, the arm 92 drops abruptly off the face of the cam 75 and. spring 98 again moves the rod 93 to disengage clutch 96 and re-engage clutch 68. The elevator is now filled to capacity and the machine is in readiness for further operation.

To finally close the motor circuit 2| after completion of the last described operation, an ordinary commercial circuit breaker is employed and which may be seen in Figure 3. Like the coin box l8 and reversing switch in box 63, this circuit breaker is not included as a novel element in the present invention.

When the arm 92 rides off the cam 15, the motor circuit is broken by means of a disc 99, mounted on shaft 61 and carrying a cam I09. An arm IM, extends from the box I62 and carries a roller upon one end, which rides on the surface of the disc 99. Upon engagement of the roller and cam, the circuit I03 is broken in the box I02, causing a magnetic release of the motor switch in the junction box l8 and the motor 22 is thus stopped. This same action also causes a magnetic release of the reverse switch contained in box 63. It will be remembered that the switch arm 62 has been forced down by the stop 6| on the chain 43 and afterwards held down magnetically by a coil within the box 63. Accordingly, upon operation of the circuit breaker above described, de-energization of the coil within the box 63 occurs and the arm 62 is free tobe lifted to operative position, which is conventionally done by a suitable spring, not shown, but enclosed in the usual reversing switch box 63.

It is intended that in the case of its use as an ice vending machine, the invention shall be capable of vending ice blocks of two or more sizes, which is the reason for the showing in Figure 5. In this figure, it will be noted that two chutes are provided to accommodate the mechanism for vending ice blocks of different sizes.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of considerable modification and such modification as is considered within the scope and meaning of the appended claims is also considered within the spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for storing and dispensing merchandise including a series of shelves having equi-distantly spaced partitions capable of simultaneous movement in a horizontal plane to advance said merchandise along said shelves, a merchandise dispensing mechanism and means operating in a vertical plane relative to the discharge ends of said shelves for moving said merchandise singly into the operative area of said dispensing means.

2. Apparatus for storing and vending articles of merchandise including a series of shelves having movable separating partitions, means for moving said partitions collectively to advance said mechandise along said shelves, an outlet for said merchandise, means for dispensing merchandise through said outlet, a closure for said outlet, a common means for operating said closure and'said dispensing means and means for receiving and moving merchandise from said shelves and delivering the same into the operative area of the said dispensing means,

3. A merchandising machine of the character described including storage shelves having movable partitions for separating articles of merchandise, a reciprocating merchandise dispensing mechanism, elevator means for transferring merchandise from said shelves into the operative area of said dispensing means, means for advancing said merchandise at predetermined intervals to recharge said elevator means and means for operating said advancing and recharging mechanism in timed relation with the movements of said elevator means.

4. Apparatus of the character described including a series of shelves and vertical shafts having means capable of rotating thereon, a multiplicity of partitions connected to said rotating means in spaced relationship and extending into said shelves to advance articles of merchandise stored thereon, elevator means having a series of alined supports normally in register with said storage shelves, means for dispensing articles of merchandise singly from the supports of said elevator means, and means for operating said merchandise advancing means in accordance with the movements of said elevator means.

' WAYLAND D. KEITH. 

